Sep 21 2015

Graham Legislation Banning Abortion After 20 Weeks Set for Senate Debate and Vote

Contact: Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417 or Clint Riddle (202) 224-5972

WASHINGTON – Legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) that would ban abortions after 20 weeks is going to be debated and voted on in the United States Senate this week. 

The debate on S. 1553, The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, will begin on Monday and a vote is expected Tuesday morning. President Obama has already threatened to veto the legislation should it reach his desk.

“There are only seven countries that allow wholesale abortions at the 20-week period including China and North Korea,” said Graham. “It’s sad, but true, that the United States is currently a member of that shameful club.

“This vote will mark the first time the Senate has been put on record about this important issue,” continued Graham. “I view this vote as the start of a journey, much like the one we used to pass the Unborn Victims of Violence Act and the Partial Birth Abortion Ban. We will take a vote, see where every Senator stands, and then go to work bringing more supporters to our cause. The sooner this legislation becomes law, the better.”

At the age of 20 weeks or 5 months post-fertilization, scientific evidence tells us an unborn child can feel pain. Pain medication is administered directly to the unborn child in second-trimester fetal surgery, in addition to anesthesia. The unborn child shows physical, chemical, brain and stress responses demonstrating pain at this stage of development.

The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act is based on science, has overwhelming public support, and is necessary to protect unborn children from painful and untimely deaths.

“America is at her best when she’s standing up for the least among us,” concluded Graham. “We are on the right side of history.”

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